May 2015 by PHS Precedent

the

Precedent PERRY HIGH SCHOOL || GILBERT, AZ

CLASS OF 15’

The complete high school experience through the eyes of seniors.

PAGES 6-7

MAY 2015|| VOL. VIII ISSUE VIII

PHS’ sixth graduating class says goodbye By Kathryn McFaul

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ime has flown by; too fast for some and way too slow for others. We started high school as small, pre-pubescent teenagers that were completely scared of all the bigger kids, and have grown up to be the leaders of the school. Friendships were formed, some that we never thought possible, and unforgettable memories were made not only with classmates but with the staﬀ as well. We have grown to know teachers that have impacted us as people rather than students, and college is no longer a scary decision, but a tangible reality. For the Class of 2015, it is time to say goodbye to the familiar hallways and classrooms that we have lived in for the past four years. This school has become a part of us. Once a Puma, always a Puma. Congratulations Class of 2015.

see TIMELINE OF 2015 pages. 6-7

photo by Abbie Peters

Journalism and commercial photography seniors are ready to celebrate their high school graduation next week.

SENIORSUPERLATIVES The Most Likely to and Best of...

most likely to be on SNL Justin Tullis

most likely to be Twitter verified Zach Testa & Taylor Howard

Most Likely to be a Cool Old Person Katie Perry Josh Duncan Most Changed Since Freshman Year Marissa Langenhorst Most Spirited Amanda Gomez Most Likely to be a Billionare Zach Testa Most Likely to Survive an Apocalypse Austin Garrett Chey Colgan Most Likely to Become President JJ Andrade Biggest Class Clown Justin Tullis Most Likely to be on SNL Justin Tullis Couple That Never Dated but Should Have Grady Olsen & Ashley Spencer Best Bromance Austin Nightengale & Alec Monte Best Dynamic Duo Shaylee Hendrickson & Campbell Hendeon Best Man Bun Tristan Cooper Best Puma Athletes Austin Bull Jenna Reynolds

News 1-3 • Opinions 4-5 • Timeline of 2015 6-7 • A & E 8-9 • Sports 10-12

best dressed Jacob Morris & Dequota Wilson

most spirited Amanda Gomez photos by Sarah Sharp, Jordan Williams, and Damien Tippett

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2|| news NEWS BRIEFS

Lerina Johnson to advise StuGo next year By Valerie Burgess and Natalie Eberhared the precedent

Since 2008, Student Government advisor Brandon Keeling has balanced helping the students of StuGo. This year he took upon himself the role of Dean of Students. For the upcoming school year, however, he will focus his entire energy on the role as the Dean of Students. Despite the change, the students will be in good hands as Physical Education teacher and Badminton coach Lerina Johnson will be the new advisor. Johnson expresses her excitement in her new role, “I hope to keep the enthusiasm going and give the [Government] all the guidance and support they need.” Future spirit weeks as well as sporting events and everything in between will be led by Johnson with pride for the upcoming school years.

DECA competes at internatinoals in Orlando

Instead of attending the elegant prom, Perry’s DECA chapter traveled to Orlando, Florida for a week of International competition. ICDC, DECA’s International Career Development Conference offers students across the world opportunity to compete and attend leadership conferences. This year fourteen students from Perry attended with seven of those students competing. Students competed with other members from across the world. Three of Perry’s students finished in the top 20 percent of their competitions along with the club’s president winning a scholarship. Senior Bari Richardson earned a scholarship of $4,000 from the Harry A. Applegate organization funded by DECA Inc. Although no students from Perry were finalists this year, the members are looking forward to competing again next year.

Ben Nelson comedy night

May started off with an evening of laughs when on May 1st the Ben Nelson Memorial Showcase riveted students. The Ben Nelson Memorial showcase is an annual comedy show which aims to raise a one-thousand dollar scholarship for an exemplar student who is passionate for acting as well as technical works. Initially, the show was started in memory of Ben Nelson, a freshman during the school’s opening year, who was tragically killed in a car accident. Nelson was instrumental to the school of Perry’s Theatre program, and is forever remembered through the scholarship. The night included Saturday Night Live style comedy routines from APAC and other thespians who auditioned. The first day of May was a great way to set the tone for the rest of the school year.

PHS ranked in national report

Although students and staff already appreciate Perry High School, the U.S. News and World Report is recognizing Perry as one of the “Best High Schools in America”. According to U.S. news, Perry is ranked #28 in the state and #1903 in the Nation. A Factor that contributes to the ranking is student readiness for college. This includes students’ proficiency in math and reading. Perry is also the first school in Arizona to provide students the opportunity to earn the STEM Diploma. The Arizona Education Foundation also is recognizing Perry with the title of being an A rated school. With the leadership of principal Dan Serrano, the school continues to successfully provide students with a solid foundation for learning.

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Senior doubles as student and professional model Taylor Howard pursues career as a model; plans the next year around traveling for her career work By August Bowers and Angielee Niblett the precedent

Imagine walking down the streets in Los Angeles, New York, England, Australia, and all around the world; seeing your face on top of billboards and posters, advertising your work as one of the most talented models in the world. Senior Taylor Howard is living this dream and taking the modeling agencies by storm, making her way to the top at only 17 years old. When she was 15, Howard went to an open call for Ford modeling agencies in Scottsdale and was put on the fast track with photo shoots, fashion shows, etc., by the time she hit 16. “After signing with Ford, I signed with Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina is one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world,” states Howard. With graduation just around the corner, Howard already has plans to expand her career after high school. “June 1st I’m going to L.A. for a month, working there with Wilhelmina. In August, I’m going to Tokyo and then after that, I’m going to Australia and I’ll come home for the holidays.” She has a busy time ahead of her, going back to New York for fashion week in February and making yet another

pit stop in Milan. Being 17 years old, there still comes responsibility like every other teenager: school. Howard shares her struggles as a student with a full time job, “[One struggle is] definitely keeping up with school work. I am really organized so I have straight A’s and I only have three classes. It’s never been a problem, but it is kind of hard.” To maintain such a crammed schedule, Howard has completed online classes to allow herself a shortened school day. During a recent press conference with Principal Dan Serrano, he shared his thoughts on the many talented kids we have here at Perry, including Howard, “It is actually pretty incredible; [I’m] not surprised with the type of kids that we have here.” Howard is among several other successful students with a big career that came a little bit early, but with modified schedules and understanding administration, they have been able to make it work. While at work, Howard has her number one supporter every step of the way, her mom Michelle. Without missing a single runway show or photoshoot, she has stayed by her daughter’s side, keeping her humble and true to herself. “Words cannot describe how proud I am of her,” her mom explains. “She has come so far in such a short amount of time and her drive for success inspires me.” photo published with permission from Taylor Howard Howard models for Wilhelmina, one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world. After graduation, her plans for the summer and the rest of 2015 include trips to LA, Tokyo, and Austrailia.

Choir teacher retires; leaves legacy in the choral department By Molly Ogden

photo published with permission from Sarah Chapple Many graduated students returned to visit Little at his graduation party. While he has been teaching at PHS for seven years, he is retiring.

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Teachers have a special way of touching the lives of their students. But very few have the opportunity to truly connect with their students and form lasting relationships. Among these few teachers is the coveted position of high school choir director. Joe Little, Perry choir director and guitar teacher, has had many opportunities since the school opened in 2007 to connect with students and to teach them. But as this school year comes to a close, so does Little’s time here at Perry, as he will not be returning for the 20152016 school year. Always filling the choir room with positivity, choir director Joe Little has mastered the art of engaging his students and helping them learn and grow. Music is not the only focus in a typical choir class at Perry. Little commented, “I feel like I am encouraging people to do their very best, in not only a choir situation, but in life. I am always sharing short, inspirational quotes [in class] and I hope that I make a difference in people’s lives.” This goal shines through for all that have experienced Little’s determination to make an positive

impact on his students. At last choir concert of the year, senior Sarah Chapple, president of Concert Choir, commented, “I have been in choir for four years and Mr. Little has touched my life so much and made me a different

person, continuing, “I don’t want to get emotional, but that is how I feel about Mr. Little because I am really grateful to him.” Little believes that the best part of his job as choir director has been meeting all of the people

that have participated in the Arts Department over the years. One such person is Perry orchestra conductor Dr. Alex Zheng, who commented that “[Mr. Little] always puts the students first. He cares for the music, and for the students.” Zheng continued that Little is incredibly humble, kind, and an incredible team-player. Little has built the Perry choir program from the ground up, and has made leaps and bounds for the school, the community, and in the lives of both families and individuals. He will be severely missed by all those that knew him. Arrangements for a replacement teacher for the 2015-2016 school year have been made, and both Little and the choir students anticipate great things to come in the next several years. Little will leave behind him a legacy of positivity and hard-work that lives on with the students in the Arts department and those here at Perry.

about the turnout of the event. Outside of them room were various fliers and cards displaying anti-Common Core messages which Douglas supplied. Douglas has been traveling around the state on a “We Are Listening” tour. The main idea is to listen to the criticism or approval of all Arizonans. Douglas is against the Common Core Standards. “I think this is the best turnout we’ve had on all the stops so far,” Douglas announced at the beginning of the conference. Each speaker stood in front of the board and gave their opinions about any topic regarding K-12

public education. Douglas made it clear that the event was a listening tour, not a question-answer session. “This is not about politics or political campaign,” she said. “It’s about giving the public the input that I believe never happened back in 2009 and 2010.” The demographics of the packed hall were predominantly white citizens, roughly 40% of which were teachers. Topics brought up during the hearings were centered around Common Core the controversial AzMERIT testing and overtesting in general, alleged data mining, and the budget cuts that were made

across the board. Affluent schools seemed to be represented well, while Title 1 schools, which are government funded schools for low-income areas, were mentioned only twice. Several speakers blasted Douglas and Governor Doug Ducey, with the latter taking the brunt of the criticism for the state’s cuts to education since he took office in January. Many were critical of the anti-Common Core movement, stating that is a standard rather than a curriculum. Douglas confirmed that this tour is a “two-part tour,” and the second part is slated for August-September.

“We Are Listening” tour addresses concerns for Common Core By Erik Yates the precedent

In the Chandler Public Library on May 9, newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas sat and listened to dozens of concerned individuals share their opinions on the state of education in Arizona. With Douglas sat with Arizona Representative J. D. Mesnard, Doctor Cecilia Johnson, and former Legislator, Senator Leah Landrum Taylor. “It definitely shows here that education is a priority conversation,” Senator Taylor said

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Sharon Lockard retires Hunting for a from PHS cafeteria job summer job? By Kaitlyn VanKlompenberg the precedent

photo by Sarah Chapple Lockard sells snacks to students at the sweet counter. She is retiring this year after working in the cafeteria since the school opened in 2007.

Cafeteria worker Sharon Lockard – an original PHS staff member – recently discussed her decision to retire. Lockard has worked for the Chandler Unified School District for more than a decade. Unlike her current occupation, she started off as a transportation employee. Later she transferred to Basha High School then to San Tan Junior High. “We both worked together at San Tan so when I switched to Perry it was nice to see a familiar face,” ex-co-worker Chantal Van Klompenberg stated. Soon after being employed at the junior high, Lockard moved to Perry High School. She has worked here since the inaugural year of 2007. “My favorite thing at Perry has been the student workers, visiting the day care, and all of my fellow co-workers.” Lockard shared, “They are my family.” Lockard pointed out the many positive aspects that come with working at the school. Her relationships with the student workers have flourished throughout the years and she shared that many past students have come back to visit her. Along

with the students, Lockard has had the opportunity to build friendships with the other cafeteria workers. “I loved how personal she was when I first met her. It amazed me that she was 70 years old, had fought breast cancer, and was still working.” Co-worker Stephanie Dobson expressed. Lockards boss and the schools lead cafeteria worker, Kim Metcalf, has been working with her for longer than anyone. From being lunch ladies at San Tan to transferring to Perry, Metcalf and Lockard have stuck together. “The girls and I are very sad to see her go, but we are happy for her.” Metcalf shared. When discussing past events, the group of lunch ladies shared their favorite memories involving Lockard. “On April Fool’s Day, [Lockard] gave some students ten dollars in pennies so they could buy food from my lunch line.” Dobson reminisced. Lockard has been deemed the ‘jokester’ of the cafeteria workers and will be dearly missed by both co-workers and students. When asked what Lockard was planning to do after her retirement she said that she would enjoy her free time by horseback riding; her favorite pass time.

Duering’s career transitions to new position at Casteel HS Longtime English teacher earns promotion as department chair at new high school By Sarah Campbell the precedent

After devoting seven years to educating hundreds of students, English teacher Rhonda Duering says goodbye to Perry as she walks through a new door as the English Department chair at Casteel High School. Duering will be the first English Department chair at Casteel, as it is opening for the first time for the 2015-2016 school year. Having such a large role at a brand new school is bound to be difficult transition, but Duering is ready for it. “It may be one of the hardest things that I will ever have done...I am, inside, terrified. But, also wildly excited,” she says.

photo by Mackenzie Ness Rhonda Duering (left) teaches AP English 12 and Humanities. Next year, she will be department head for Casteel High School, CUSD’s new 7-12 school.

Principal Dan Serrano explains how Duering is fit for such a position. “She’s a really good teacher, and she knows English...she’s very upbeat and I think people will enjoy that part of her.” English teacher Kate Copic

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noted that her leadership on campus will be one of the greatest assets PHS will miss. “Her incredible knowledge, leadership, and experience make her qualified [to be a department chair],” Copic said. As a close friend to Duering,

Copic expresses bittersweet feelings on her leaving. “I try not to look at it as a loss as so much as a gift to the new high school because they need welltrained and experienced teachers.” Serrano agrees that she will be an asset to the new school. “She is professional and dedicated, so Casteel will be lucky to get her.” Although excited for her new course, Duering explains the difficulty of leaving. “I have spent the better part of a decade rattling around here. I will miss my family and what we have built here.” Being a Puma for so many years, Duering now sees the campus as a home, filled with memories that she will never forget. “I really love being a part of the Perry community and have made a real family here...that tells you just how cool a place Perry is and how wonderful her staff,” she added. Duering has been known for her upbeat and lively personality that is going to be missed by students and staff alike.

Here’s the Precedent’s guide to getting the job you want By Chay Romnie the precedent

Summer is approaching quickly and the competition for jobhunting is about to get fierce. Everyone and their mothers are in search of a job to make some cash over the summer with all their space time. Nearly every job will have competition, so it is essential that you stand out above the crowd. Express interest: Employers do not have any interest with people who don’t seem to want to be here. If you looked bored at the interview, why would they hire you to just look bored in their store? Dress up: “Dress for success” is not just some line they throw us; you’ll look sharp and sharp and professional versus the competitor who simply looks “cute.” Be prepared for any question: Considering that nearly every job is customer-service based, it is appropriate to expect questions for “what if ” situations. Avoid slang terms: being a professional is what employers look for. They want individuals that will nicely represent a company, not shame it. Do your research: look into the job you are going for. Know the working conditions, starting wage, what the company is know for, promotion opportunity, etc. Be confident: Regardless of the butterflies in your stomach, sit up tall with your chin up, and be the model of confidence. Lastly, the positions are being filled quickly, so apply as soon as possible.

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Staff Editorial

Boo’s and Hooray’s for a semester full of excelling teams, too much testing Senior pranks should leave positive legacy

BOO: Perry’s 2015-2016 freshman class will be close to 1000 students, making classrooms, hallways, and lunches extra crowded for all students. On the bright side, principal Dan Serrano predicts PHS growth will diminish after next year’s class. So we’ve got that going for us. HOORAY: This was the first school year that contained two musicals, “The Addams Family” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The drama department is oozing with talent like seniors Ashley Little, Alexandra Messersmith and junior Noelle Soucek, just to name a few. Seeing different faces on the stage with polar opposite performances brought a great joy to many students. BOO: There are 17 staff members leaving campus at the end of the school year, including teachers Clint Beauer, Brian Butson, Rhonda Duering, Carrie Goldberg, Joe Little, Stephanie Robertson, and Julia Salce. Longtime counselor Dana Steines is also leaving. Steines, along with Beauer, Little, and Robertson opened PHS in 2007. HOORAY: AP AB/BC Calculus testers do not have to retake the test, despite leaving the testing area during the testing session. All AP tests have concluded for the year. BOO: AIMS is now useless regarding college and state standards, yet it was replaced with was another unnecessary test. The AzMERIT definitely incited a dramatic controversy that was seriously unneeded. HOORAY: Gilbert weather has been fantastic! May showers and weather below the triple digits have most residents jumping for joy.

ISAIAH PATTERSON the precedent

or many students, senior year is about graduation, passing classes, and finally applying for those scholarships everyone has been telling them to apply for. The last few weeks of high school are hectic with the simple dilemma: “how am I going to be remembered?” Because of this, students rally together to find something exciting to do as a group that offsets the balance thru the halls and allows them to leave their mark for future classes to come. Typically, students strive to be funny by thinking outside of the box and the ordinary that makes other students and teachers do a double-take for what just happened. The problem with doing this, however, is most of the time the way seniors want to be remembered is typically not what staff and teachers see appropriate. What if seniors’ found a way to come together with underclassmen to leave the school better

photo by Paige Coakley Senior Mckay Chamberlain rolled out the white carpet to enjoy an elementary activity that is the Slip and Slide. This harmless prank turned colorful when bright paint was added to the mix.

than the way they found it? What if seniors impacted their communities in a good way? What if senior pranks turned into senior thanks? As the kings and queens of the kingdom we call Perry, seniors have the opportunity

to show underclassmen how to act and care for one another. You don’t always have to make an impression by acting out; showing compassion and doing something good for the good of others can leave a mark that everyone can look up to.

Graduation from high school is supposed to be about recognizing the accomplishment of the student body, from academic achievements to art scholarships. Yet, when segregating the sexes like that, it forms a mental disconnect between the students. As previously stated, we are one student body, why do we graduate as a segregated school? If anything, it would be reasonable to separate students who are graduating with AP credits versus the students graduating with on-level courses; for example, giving seniors different cord colors could be something to look forward to. But separating simply on the basis of ‘girl’ and ‘boy’? Really, a dumb idea. With the use of this tactic, it can also isolate some students due to the fact that gowns are separated on the basis of sex. Not all students necessarily conform to normal gender identities, and not to mention the school’s transgender students, graduation

could be a whole mess of awkward. Are these students allowed to choose what color they wear? Or is everyone simply assigned which color to wear? Not that high school is all about the comfort of the students, but shouldn’t the last ‘hurrah’ of the year be somewhat of a relief? Most high school graduating classes in Arizona all wear the same color in their ceremonies, as do the major in-state colleges. NAU, UofA, and ASU graduates all walk across the stage proudly in their university’s colors, as do graduates from Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. If there are to be different colored gowns at graduation, students should be able to choose what they want to wear to be comfortable, or there should only be one color for the sake of unity in the graduating class. Why is there the need to make us feel separate?

Graduation gown colors divide student body MADI MONTOYA the precedent

t the end of four, long years of high school, the least amount of stress for any student should be during graduation; it’s the end of the year, college is only a few months away, and most stress has been replaced with a little thing called ‘senioritis.’ However, for some, graduation can be more than a little bit awkward when it comes to dressing in the infamous cap and gown to finally leave the last four years behind. It may not seem like a very big problem, but students around campus have been complaining about the school’s ‘blue for the boys’ and ‘red for the girls’ graduation gown dilemma.

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HOORAY: The Perry Winkles Improv team won the 2015 National Comedy Theater High School Improv Tournament for the second time in a row and choir won Gold at the Heritage Competition in Anaheim California. (BONUS HOORAY: all of the spring sports teams made a playoff appearances this semester.)

Pride • Progress • Purpose

staff information

Perry High School 1919 E. Queen Creek Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85297 480-224-2800 480-224-2820 fax

|| News Editor || Sarah Chapple

|| Photo Editor || Jordan Williams

|| Opinions Editor || Dayna Miller

|| Newspaper Adviser || Damien Tippett

|| A & E Editor || Nathan Tucker

|| Social Media Editors || Mackenzie Ness August Bowers

|| Editor-in-Chief || Paige Coakley

|| Features Editor || Sarah Lankford Kathryn McFaul

|| Managing Editor || Amanda Lee

|| Sports Editor || Emma Fernandez

|| Web Editor || Erik Yates || Staff Reporters || Michelle Bolden Valerie Burgess Sarah Campbell Devlin Clark Aja Difﬁn

Natalie Eberhard Rebecca Hoffmann Mia Irvin Madi Montoya Angielee Niblett Cassie Nielsen Molly Ogden Isaiah Patterson Kacee Perry Chay Romine Alice Tran Kaitlyn VanKlompenberg Eliauna Wendt Dequota Wilson Erik Yates Ryan Zolin

The Precedent is published by the newspaper staff at Perry High School, and is published as an open student forum eight times per school year. The Precedent welcomes comments and criticism from its readers. Please e-mail all questions, comments, guest articles, or letters to the editor to phsprecedent@gmail.com. Submissions may not be anonymous; however, requests for anonymity may be honored. Letters may also be delivered to room C-116.

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sun devils, wildcats, lumberjacks – oh my! ASU sparks Bear Down creative with talent minds at UofA DEQUOTA WILSON

empe is one of the most creative cities Arizona has to offer, which is why ASU is the perfect university for this artsy city. With brilliant minds such as Kate Spade, Jimmy Kimmel, Alice Cooper, Steven Spielberg, John Wayne and David Spade hailing from Arizona State University, it’s no doubt that this is one of the most innovative in-state schools. Being the most enrolled university, it is no surprise that Arizona State is rich in diversity. This offers students the experience to meet a wide variety of people that they may have not met back in their hometown. The opportunity to be able to meet people from different backgrounds offers a different perspective and the ability to see what life is like outside of your normal environment. By no means will anyone ever get bored. Stepping onto campus gives a feeling of tremendously good vibes that give a sense of belonging. There are always events going on in Tempe - concerts, races, festivals, events; there is literally something always going on every week. Mill Ave is by far the best downtown district. With cool restaurants and quirky shops, downtown Tempe is awesome. The area really caters to students by selling products college students would go for, and at discounted prices since the retailers know that college kids are poor. There are plenty of outdoor activities to participate in as well you can hike Camelback, “A” mountain, and even at Papago Park, plus the Phoenix Zoo is not too far from the university either. Bottom line is, Arizona State University is the best in state university because why would you want to live in the Dirty T (also know as Tucson) and attend University of Arizona, where their motto is “Bear Down,” when their mascot is clearly a wildcat? Why would you want to attend school in the middle of a forest, in a town so small, that there’s not even an In-n-Out, or Canes, or Dutch Bros? Only Devils have those. Arizona State has the best of both worlds.

PAIGE COAKLEY

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un Devils? Lumberjacks? You meant, Wildcats! Beardown! While every student dreams of an ivy league school, University of Arizona is the closest Arizona has to a genuine school. Between the three most popular in-state universities, UA is clearly the best option for college. Let’s begin with the history of the Wildcats. UA, the first university created in Arizona, was established in 1885. In 1926, motto “bear down” motivated the football team to put their best effort into the upcoming game. Now, the famous motto leads the Wildcats into sports victory. In 2014, the Wildcats advanced to the Fiesta Bowl. Despite a devastating defeat, the Wildcats were able to channel their energy into March Madness. Though not advancing farther, the Wildcats were able to advance into the sweet sixteen, where they were defeated by Wisconsin for a spot in the final four. Alongside sports, UA has reputation throughout the nation. According to Forbes’ list of America’s top colleges, UA is ranked number 250, compared to Arizona State University, ranked 362, and Northern Arizona University, which was ranked 546. UA is one of the premier public research institutes in the nation. The National Science Foundation has ranked UA 19 among public universities and 29 in overall research expenditures. For a wide variety of students with different interests, UA offers more than three hundred majors. Most students schools with high acceptance rate. UA has a 77% acceptance rate, just high enough to motivate students to apply. All students that apply are automatically considered for the Wildcat Excellence award, a renewable scholarship from UA that ranges from $1,500 to $10,000 per academic year. Why become a Lumberjack or a Sun Devil when it is better to become a Wildcat? Beardown, Pumas!

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orthern Arizona University is a breath of fresh air. With its Ponderosa Pine forest, 7,000 ft. altitude level, stunning mountain peaks, and 288 days of sunshine; Flagstaff, Arizona is the perfect place for college. Being 170 miles away and only a two and half hour drive from Chandler, NAU allows for the distance and scenery for an “out of state school” feel, but also give the reassurance that a home cooked meal or even just a hug from Mom is a short drive away. Flagstaff maybe close to home, but it’s also close to other fun-loving locations. Flag is 75 miles from the Grand Canyon, 251 miles from the Vegas Strip, and 464 miles from the heart of Los Angeles. Northern Arizona may be a destination spot for chandler locals, but even hardcore Flagstaff locals need to escape the cold sometimes and take a road trip out of town. Being a hub for outdoor recreation, students of NAU can enjoy a multitude of activities; from camping to river rafting to skiing at the Snow Bowl during the later months of the year. The mild wilderness is a perfect escape from exams stress, personal drama, or any other heartache. The fresh air of Flagstaff is purifying, giving students a clear head and an open space to think. And with only 20 thousand students, most of those in an Undergraduate Study program, NAU offers small class sizes that allow for Teacher/Student interactions and a memorable learning experience. The girl dorming down the hall from you, is most likely in you ENG 101 class, making it easier for a study partner and maybe even a friend. The atmosphere of NAU (and Flagstaff in general) is one of welcoming. It’s the perfect “home away from home.” For many of us, college is the first time away from the safety of our parents, away from friends, and away from our comfort zones. However, the sense of Community and Belonging that envelops NAU is overwhelmingly heartwarming.

Seniors feeling the gap of the future KACEE PERRY

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ooking into the future, seniors find themselves anticipating the release from their high school years and finally living out in the real word. Yet, moving from a world of having to ask to use the restroom, to taking responsibility over a career, seniors feel little no preparedness for their adult lives. Students are taught to focus on the primary objective: doing well on a test. Whether it be for a simple unit test or the big AP final, high-schoolers learn more about how to pass a test, rather than how to take care of finances. Schools strain so much on the testing aspect, that they forget to teach students the actual necessities they need in order to live outside of school. Even more

so, the majority of what is taught is only useful for passing the test and is forgotten after making the grade. It is guaranteed that if one were to ask a senior what they learned in their English class freshman year, they would not be able to provide more than an ‘I do not know.’ Granted, some may argue that learning certain classes such as geometry will be useful for the future, however, certain subjects like this only provide benefit for specific jobs, such as being an architect. In a report released by the ACT, 60 percent of students who tested, missed the mark on at least two of the subjects tested. Schools have stressed over this and have been implementing Common Core Standards and STEM opportunities, however, this again only assists in making the grade. This will help to get one into college, but it cannot teach one how to maintain a budget or how to pay a mortgage. Once these courses are taken, seniors are

Seniors want to say “Thanks” to a few PHS teachers who helped them along their high school careers

NAU is a breath of fresh air

JORDAN WILLIAMS

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s u p m OnCa

now thrown an unexpected responsibility, in which they must now fend for themselves. They are continually treated as children and then jump to having to ‘grow-up’ and be mature right after their senior year. What makes it this way? It is the handful of individuals who ruin the respect deserved to the majority of seniors, being the cause for having to ask for a bathroom break and the constant monitoring of behavior. This is the small handful of students who ruin it for the rest of their peers. What needs to be done is schools should offer preparation for the independent lifestyle. They should have classes, throughout a student’s high school career, to be able to take classes that teach about taxes, owning a home, and additional home eco processes, instead of giving seniors a half of a semester of economics. More importantly, schools need to be sure to encourage these classes to students to showcase their

Erik Dyster senior

“My favorite teacher would have to be Mr. Flores, I had him for honors physics and I would have to say he was my favorite because he liked to interact with the students. One time we dared him to drop a bowling ball and he did it and a lot of other physics related things.”

Addison Anders senior

“Mr. Thornton because he was there to reach out to the students and related his past experiences to school.”

Kaylee McMahon senior

“My favorite teacher was probably Ms. Lorgan because she was always very funny but also very helpful too.”

Dominique Henderson senior

“My favorite was Mrs. Galvez because she helped me out the whole year.”

6 || class of

NEW

Drama produces “The Addams Family,” being the ﬁrst high school in Arizona to do so.

KIDS

on the

class of || 7

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

may || 2015

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

Senior, Jacob Morris, releases his debut album, Reap What You Sow. Morris continues to impress his fellow peers with his abundance of talent in the arts.

photo by Briana Dickson

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photo by Abby Peters

photo by Angielee Niblett

Perry News Live and Perry Podcast replaces Perry Primetime after it was shut down last year. Seniors, Mason Welch and Cole Merrell, work on producing another Perry Podcast.

The last assembly as seniors. Congratulations to the class of 2015!

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The 2012 annual StuGo convention was held at PHS for the ﬁrst time. photo by Genevieve Miller

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Graduation May 27, 2015 7:30-10:00PM Watch it online at SportsAz360

8 || arts and entertainment

may || 2015

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

Twin Talents

Siblings find success in separate artistic spheres of food and sculpting By Aja Diffin and Valerie Burgess the precedent

Sometimes twins can seem like two different sides of the same coin. For seniors Jade and Mia Pina, a fascination for the arts shows through all they do. Granted, they practice different types of art, but they share the same passion for what they do. Both seniors, the two sisters will be graduating with a couple of admirable notches on their belts. Mia Piña, with a five minute head start to life when compared to her twin, has secured a culinary scholarship to excel in culinary greatness. Jade Pina’s passion for sculpting has led to amazing creations, most notably a Best of Show 3D award for “I’m Fine” at the Chandler District Art Show. Mia, known as Maddie by many, has found herself enthusiastic about a future in the culinary arts world. This year, she participated in a competition sponsored by the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP) that brought her all the way through preliminary rounds and the final round, ending with her receiving a scholarship worth $19,950 at the International Culinary Center in New York City. According to her, it was an extremely hands-on learning experience, and prepared all of the students involved for their futures in the industry. “They really want to get you out there and it’s very much a working experience to get kids ready to go out into the workforce or learn to make their own reputation,” Mia says. Mia believes CCAP will prove to further impact her future because of the extensive training they put students through and the experiences they create for them. “There is a reputation that goes along with the name CCAP, so I know it’s going to affect me down the road,” Mia states. “It’s really going to help me.” She strayed from her original plan to go into food business hospitality, and a massive coincidence led her to make her decision to become a chef.

2014-2015’s finest moments for Fine Arts

photos by Cassie Neal and Christen Cioffi Seniors Mia Pina (above) and Jade Pina (right) prepare to cook a dish and make a dish, respectively. The twin sisters have made the final rounds of both culinary and 3D art competitions this past year.

“I wasn’t even going to be in [Culinary]; I was going to take sculpture and they [said] ‘Sculpture is full, but you can take culinary!’” Mia recalls. Her sister, Jade Pina, successfully secured a spot in Sculpture class, and it led her to success in the field. She went on to win the Best of Show 3D award for one of her pieces. Jade Pina describes her winning piece, “I’m Fine,” as a sculpture that tells of the darker side of what may be happening when someone says they are ’fine.’ The piece depicts a crown which appears to be exploding behind a head and shoulders with different miscellaneous ideas. Many emotions may be existing behind the simple, exhausted statement. Pina describes her inspiration for the winning piece, “There is a show called ‘Face-Off’ about speciality makeup and in special effects which I am very interested in. I was inspired by an artist [who created] a piece... which was very spectacular

looking.” The artist’s interest in gore commonly found in horror movies and mainstream media also influenced her decision to add blood to the sculpture’s wounds. Her ideas of selfconfidence and a mask on emotions helped to impact her production of the piece as one with a deeper message. In roughly three weeks, Jade Pina executed a show-stopping piece that will live on in Perry’s artistic legacy. Looking beyond high school, Jade sees herself as a special effects artist or a cosmetologist as she enters college. In her career beyond high school, the techniques she has learned as a sculptor will provide a steady and prosperous future. This dynamic duo helped bring creativity and vitality to their school and their futures. These two talented twins are bound to cause shockwaves as very talented girls who will leave a legacy in Perry and beyond.

Choir establishes legacy at Heritage Festival

By Cassie Nielsen the precedent

fter eight years it is safe to say that Perry’s fine arts department is one of the many programs that draw in students across the valley. The 2014-2015 school year was a year of great accomplishment for the fine arts department. Last October, Marching Band took their first trip to California in four years and had the opportunity to march down Main Street at Disneyland. In November the theater department performed The Addams Family blowing away the crowds with their talent. But the crowds were not the only ones blown away; judges were impressed as well and so theater won state by performing The Addams Family. Through out the rest of the year theater students kept showing their talent with other great performances like The Wizard of Oz, Almost Maine, and more. Theater was not the only one with great accomplishments this year. In February, the Jazz Band garnered a Superior rating at the NAU Jazz Festival which eventually led to an invitation to play alongside the NAU Jazz One ensemble at The Nash. This spring Orchestra had the great privilege to be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. They returned to Gilbert with the highest overall score given by the National Band and Orchestra festival and fond memories of their four days in the Big Apple. Soon after, in late April, choir and orchestra performed at Anaheim where Choir was awarded with two silvers and a gold won by Advanced Women’s Choir. The choirs were not the only ones to win awards though. A handful of both orchestra and choir students were recognized for their talent and given individual awards as well. Some being Caden Gledhill for his vocal solo and violinist Rachel Johnson. Students entered art pieces into the annual Chandler Center of the Arts competition on Monday, 4 May 2015. Senior Jade Piña placed best of show with her 3D piece. Senior Taylor Hannan took first in her category of digital photo. Several students placed first, second, or third in the categories of digital photo and sculpture. There’s no question about it, Perry has many talented students, and with great teachers and directors the fine arts department was able to shine brightly this year. With the end of each year, there are goodbyes to be said. This year seniors are not the only ones we will be saying farewell to in the fine arts. Choir students will miss their teacher Joe Little with his positive attitude, encouragements, and wise teachings that come from years of experience. He will be retiring at the end of this year. Thank you to all teachers and students for such a great year and thank you to friends and family for the support given in attending the many concerts and plays. As well as giving the much needed support in competitions and trips to once in a lifetime places. Nathan Tucker

contributed to this story

photo by Molly Ogden Concert Choir performs at their year-end showcase on May 5, following a Silver Medal performance at the Heritage Festival.

By Molly Ogden the precedent

Recently, Perry Choirs had the opportunity to participate in the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, California from April 30 to May 3. The Heritage Festival is a unique opportunity for choir and orchestra students to perform in front of and against dozens of schools from all over the country and be judged on musical ability by nationally accredited judges. Choir director Joe Little commented that “while we are there, we have a chance to compete. There are usually three judges and they are from around the country.” “They rate us on a scale of 0 to 100, and if you get a gold level, that is like getting an A in a class. [A gold] is a 90% or above. [A silver] is an 80-89%. If there are more than one choir in a certain category, then you can earn first, second, or third place.”

The Advanced Women’s, Concert and Show Choirs all returned from the Heritage Festival with honors. Advanced Women’s Choir received a gold medal, and the Concert and Show Choirs received silver medals. “I was surprised that our Concert Choir didn’t get a gold.,” Little remarked. “They were two points away from a gold. It could have been the difficulty of the music that I gave them. Maybe I could have given them something that really showcased them the way it should have. But they [all] did a wonderful job.” Little further commented that “it was the Advanced Women that got the gold. They had some difficult music, and they even asked for extra practices. It was their willingness to put in that extra effort that made it so they got that gold. That was a lesson for all of us.” The choirs were not the

It was [Advanced Women’s Choir‘s] willingness to put in that extra effort that made it so they got that gold. That was a lesson for all of us. Joe Little Choir Director

only ones to receive awards. Senior Caiden Gledhill was also honored for his vocal performance at the festival. Little explained that “Caiden Gledhill had a solo in the middle of a song, and [the judges] were so impressed with his voice and the delivery that they gave him the [Maestro Award].” “It was cool and kind of surprising because they didn’t tell me anything before I got called up onto the stage,” commented Gledhill. ‘It was awesome to represent Perry and know that the judges thought I did a good job on my solo.” “Performing for a judge

is always good for singers,” continued Gledhill. “The weekend helped us grow closer as a choir, and everyone had fun.” Perry orchestra conductor Dr. Alex Zheng also participated in the Heritage Festival with several members of the Perry orchestra. Zheng agreed with Gledhill that the Heritage festival “was a wonderful experience in every way.” It takes great skill and hard-work to achieve the awards that Perry choirs have achieved. Little offered his advice regarding the skill and hard work that have gone into the choir program. “Overconfidence is a danger with any of us who start excelling.” Each choir was able to dodge this obstacle at the festival, and perform to the best of their abilities.

”

may || 2015

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

“Mad Max” Fury Road’s plot is out of fuel

arts and entertainment || 9

What to

Wear Wilson with

Simple & fun Summer styles By Dequota Wilson

photo by Jasin Boland /Warner Bros./MCT

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron star in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The fourth installment of the Mad Max series, it hits theaters 30 years after the previous entry.

By Paige Coakley the precedent

Fast cars, dirt roads, a creepy deformed water dictator, and an abundance of fiery explosions pretty much sums up the newest installment of the Mad Max Series. Directed by George Miller, the fourth movie hardly compares to the original 1979 version. Yes there are more explosions, yes there are more cinematography aspects, and yes even some cool stunts; but the plot of Fury Road is, in a word, lacking. It’s not a “bad” movie, per say–action buffs will appreciate the effortlessly choreographed fight scenes, the jacked-up cars and the relatively attractive women walking around in nothing but sheets. But that’s about it.

With all the great actions scenes and car chases, and the guy who plays the electric guitar throughout the movie (Yes this is reala guy played the guitar on top of a big rig throughout the entire film), viewers are left with very little character interest, giving the movie a wanting feel. The movie barely explains any important details like why all of Immortan Joe’s children are misshapen and deformed. Or how Imperator Furiosa is the only woman in a position of power (or how she lost her arm???). Granted if you are familiar with the early movies, some of the questions are answered based on context. Still, there’s very little character development or intrigue. There’s a miniscule love interest between Nux and one of the wives, that isn’t expanded on, and there’s no

lead up to Imperator Furiosa’s reasons for treason-a fact that is only explained later on in the movie. The only concrete thing known is that Max and friends are running and they have to drive. Quickly. To the Green Place (whatever that is, because once again, no explanation). The movie just kind of happens, like a Frankenstein Movie Monster of random scenes. For Example: Immortan Joe’s wife climbing out of the bottom of the War Machine Big Rig or the sudden entrance of Nux into the movie...It was almost like a bad “Here I am!” moment. The lack of character development, dings the overall movie. With characters who are hard to relate to or even understand, Mad Max: Fury Road falls short on the Great Movie Scale.

has been reinvented. Probably the most significant change to fighting is the said new “character variations.” Each character gets three different styles with their own unique special attacks and combos. For example, Scorpion, the yellow ninja and icon to the series, can utilize either two swords for quick combos, engulf his opponent in fire, or summon a demon to help him fight. Combat is as fluid as the blood in the game. Burning, slicing, and freezing enemies killing the opponent is almost effortless, assuming they are not planning your death as well. The fatalities, grisly finishing moves that outright kill the loser, caused even myself to wonder what was going through the

developer’s’ mind when they were coming up with these gory killing moves. One finisher in particular had me mentally saying “You blew out his chest with a fire ball, don’t you think literally slicing his face off is excessive?” The heart of the series remains unchanged and still as exciting as it has been for the past two decades. While the NextGen console version has already been released, the game will be released for Xbox 360 and PS3 in the summer quarter of 2015. From pixilated 2D-sprites to almost life-like fighters, Mortal Kombat has achieved a greatness that very few fighting games have earned after so long.

Mortal Kombat X revives brutal franchise for next generation consoles By Erik Yates the precedent

In the middle of a forest coated in snow, two ninjas - one garbed in blue, the other in yellow - are engaged in brutal combat. Finally, the yellow ninja stuns his opponent. The victor shoots a kunai attached to a chain from his wrist into the blue ninja’s head. A forceful tug and an echoing “Get over here” mark the bloody demise of his opponent. For a little over twenty years, Mortal Kombat has held the title of one of the bloodiest, most grotesque fighting games in existence and rightfully so. With the newest installment, Mortal Kombat X, that brutality

Dine and Devour

Bergies Coffee offers community-based atmosphere

photo by Mackenzie Ness

The back gate at Bergies leads into the garden that surrounds the roast house. The familyowned establishment has been serving the Gilbert community since 2009.

By Mackenzie Ness the precedent

Bergies Coffee Roast House is more of a small cottage than a café, encompassing a room that allows for a few circular tables, benched seating, and a kitchen for two to move around almost comfortably. Its iron gates lead into an elongated garden, speckled with brightly colored chairs and earth-toned tables. Home to trees, flowers, and finch birds: this area exemplifies serenity.

At the end of the flowered path, the mousesized coffee shop awaits. When ordering, one is politely greeted, often by the owners. This petite coffee shop is family-owned and was opened by brothers Brian and Bruce Berguson in 2009. “We have come to realize that our shop is so much more than just a way to make money,” co-owner Linda Berguson states, “It is a community. We have incredibly loyal customers who we have grown to know and love.”

While creating lasting relationships is a focus, so is the importance of offering fresh coffee. They host a variety of rather rare beans, all grown in different countries like Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. These coffee beans are then home-roasted six days a week in order to assure exceedingly fresh flavors and aromas. Homemade treats are also featured including cookies, gluten-free bars, and gooey cinnamon rolls, primarily made by other local shops and bakeries. Their house drink--and probably most popular--is a Bruceé, named after one of the owners, Bruce. This is a blend of toddy (coldbrew coffee), creme de cacao, and cream. Bruceé is ideal for those who are dedicated coffee-drinkers as well as people who rather drink something sweet. Not only is what they offer delicious, but the location truly draws in coffee-enthusiasts, groups of friends, and individuals in need of study time. Bergies Coffee is tucked away in a small corner of Gilbert’s Heritage District just across from the prominent water tower, surrounded by well-known and thriving restaurants including Joe’s Real Barbecue, Liberty Market, and Postino. Venturing to Bergies on a Friday or Saturday evening will often result in the welcoming sound of the slow strum of a guitar, a sweet voice, and a light chatter. The Bergusons find that it is important to showcase local artists in order to support the community and promote creativity. Bergies Coffee is tailor-made for anyone willing to discover a new home, study room, or haven.

the precedent

ummer is so close you can taste it on the tip of your tongue. The freedom, lack of stress, opportunity for adventure summer is truly the greatest season. My favorite thing about summer is that it is all about simplicity. There’s no need to dress up, even when you are dressed up in summer clothes, you’re still dressed down in a sense. You can literally just throw on anything in your closet this summer because mixing prints is in. The secret to getting away with mixing prints is to try to make sure that the different prints are both in the same color scheme. It may come off as tacky, but in all honesty “tacky” is the new black. Platform shoes are going to be a hit this summer. Sandals, sneakers, slip-ons-everything will be lifted. These bold shoes add that extra umph to any outfit. My favorite thing about platform shoes is that they liven up almost any outfit. You could be wearing a t-shirt and jeans and the platform shoe would tie the whole outfit together. Not to mention they are very comfortable, especially the slip-ons and sneakers. Who doesn’t love comfortability and cuteness? If platform shoes are just a bit too casual for you, no worries, chunky heeled sandals are for you. Forget the pumps or the high stilettos, corporate America loves chunky heeled sandals. They are almost as cute, if not cuter than platformed sandals. They would go great with any kind of formal attire. Comfort is the theme of this season which is why I’m excited that jumpsuits are a thing now. photo by Huy Mach/St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jumpsuits are basically rompers, but usually with pants, unlike a romper, which has shorts. Both of these articles are great for summer, but jumpsuits are very bold, which is why they are a personal favorite. Plus, you just literally slip on a jumpsuit, some cute sandals and accessories, and you have a super cute quick outfit. Mesh is trending this season. From shirts, to joggers, to shoes - mesh has made the biggest comeback. For both guys and girls, mesh adds edge to any outfit and makes it a bit risky. Baseball caps are haute this summer. But being honest, did the good ol’ baseball cap ever go out of style? Nope. You can honestly throw on a baseball cap with any outfit, great for bad hair days and keeping the sun out of your eyes. The best part about this cap is the simplicity and you can cop so many with different prints, patterns, and sayings, by no means does it have to have a team on it. Make sure you’re extra careful with messy foods because white jeans are hot this summer. I’ve always stayed away from white bottoms because I’m not the most proper eater, but with practice and extra caution, I’ve managed to survive a day without getting my white pants dirty. If I can do it, anyone can, trust me. White bottoms are stylish and fresh and can be topped with any kind of color or print, because white goes with everything! Those are my favorite trends for the summer of 2015, there will be no next time, so stay cute, fashionable, and try not to dress too bad without my help, Puma Nation. Have a safe, fun & stylish summer.

10 || sports

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

may || 2015

sports || 11

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

A fun ride They might have fallen short of their goal of winning Perry’s first championship, but the volleyball team had an entertaining, memorable season By Mia Irvin

“I think the chemistry that our team has been building is going to set us up for a lot of years of success.

the precedent

photo by Sarah Sharp Junior Garrett Wagner celebrates a side out at a regular season volleyball game. The Pumas playoff run ended on Tues. May 12 in the quarterﬁnals against Mountain View Mesa.

The end of the road to for boys’ volleyball is finally here closing in an epic quarterfinal game against Mountain View Mesa. The Pumas (28-6, 10-0) has had an unheard of season, dominating most of the games they played in. Senior Loren McClure has been ready for the challenge of competing for first place since day one. McClure has been competing on varsity for three years, waiting for his chance at winning that coveted trophy. “This is what I’ve worked for,” he said. “I’ve worked a lot, eight years for it.” All of his hard work will boil down to one season; this one. “[Winning state] would mean a lot, a lot of us have been working for three or four years.” McClure shares. “[This season is] the peak of our high school volleyball careers.” The Pumas got to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year and faced off against Mountain View Mesa. “Beating a lot of higher ranked teams has helped our momentum,” said McClure. Head coach Brian Pomerantz was ready for the team’s hard work to finally pay off. “It would mean everything to them. These boys have been together for three or four years, and for them to win as a group it

”

Brian Pomerantz Volleyball Coach

would mean the world to them.” The Pumas played a great first set, winning 25-17. In set two, the boys’ played superior defense, and worked collectively. They came out strong and beat the Toros in the second set 25-16. During the third set, the Toros struck back, and beat the Pumas by a narrow margin of 25-22. The Toros took set four as well by a score of 25-18. in a close fought game, Mountain View Mesa won the game in set five by a score of 21-19, ending the Pumas season in a devastating loss. The boys’ team will leave the court losing five seniors. “There is such a tight bond between the juniors and the seniors that the class is irrelevant. It’s just a great group of boys.” But Pomerantz is not disappointed.“I think the chemistry that our team has been building is going to set us up for a lot of years of success.” Pomerantz said. The team plans to come back next year stronger and hungrier than ever.

Baseball wrap up

Senior-loaded team one for the record books By Ryan Zolin the precedent

The 2015 Pumas will graduate 12 seniors next week, and will go down in history as one of the best teams in the program’s history, but it ended on a sour note. The Pumas (20-8, 13-5) were able to host their first-ever playoff game after winning a school-best 20 regular season games and earning a first round bye in the division-I playoffs. The seventh-ranked Pumas’ bats were silenced by arguably the most potent pitching staff in Arizona - No. 10 Centennial - and PHS fell by a score of 4-0. But that game does not define their season, according to several players and coaches. The 2015 season saw Perry continue its tradition of solid defense and pitching. The defense was the best it has ever been, with a .945 fielding percentage; and the pitching

recorded the third lowest earned-run average in school history (2.96). Defensively, seniors Marcus Ybarra (.980), Austin Bull (.926) and Jeremy McCuin (.940) were the core of the strongest infield in school history. Seniors Tyler Watson and Bull had phenomenal seasons as they both set several records for the school and will both represent PHS at the senior All Star game. Watson had the most ever strikeouts (68) and Bull broke the record for most stolen bases with 25. “[Watson’s] pitching is as good as anyone we’ve ever had here,” head coach Shane Hilstrom said. “He has six records and I think he is one of the best.” The play of the year came in the 12-2 win over Corona del Sol when Aztec designated hitter Kyle Coggins ripped a come-backer to Watson. The southpaw calmly fielded the ball - behind his back - flipped to McCuin at second base who tossed it to first base to

complete the double play. And with that, the Pumas jogged off the field as if it were just another one of their 21 double plays. “It’s been an amazing, fun,and wild ride and I’ve learned a lot, all while I got to play with a lot of cool people,” Ybarra said. Watson went from being a freshman who got little playing time on varsity to being the role model for the team his senior year. His catcher, Ybarra, noted: “[Watson] definitely helped us win a lot of tough games and he always kept the mood light.” Bull was the young kid on the varsity team four years ago. “I was the butt of a lot of jokes, and nothing has changed,” Bull said, noting that the team is a family and makes baseball an even better experience. Senior pitcher Zach Kingdeski played a huge role in the team’s success, as he won six games including beating nationally-ranked teams Horizon and Liberty.

photo by Paige Coakley Senior shortstop Jeremy McCuin turns a double play against Basha on April 23.

Softball wrap up

Season ‘solid from start to ﬁnish’ By Angielee Niblett the precedent

Finishing ninth in Arizona’s division-I rankings, the Puma softball team has looked back on the season to see ups and downs, but the end of the season is coming to a close. The team began their season under several new circumstances including adjusting to a new head coach, as well as the addition of promising freshmen like Kenadee Rausch and Jordan Pierson. The Pumas (23-9, 3-7) started the season on fire, winning 14 of their first 15 games. “We started off with a solid winning streak and being sixth in state,” junior right field Tatum Johnson described. The girls started out with a few quick wins against such teams as Verrado and Gilbert, and continued their winning streak until late March while only taking one loss under their belt. Head coach Robert Hehe reveled in the team’s early wins saying, “Our season was basically a two part season. Up to the

midpoint we were exceptionally good, sky was the limit as far as how far we could go.” A few players made their name known throughout the games, exceeding in allaround areas. Some of these players include freshmen Kenadee Rausch and Piper Lujan who seemed to shock the teams and coaches after earning a spot on the varsity team during their first year of high school. The wheels have already been turning for next year’s season; the prospects are high, but the players’ determination seems to be even higher. Johnson talks about the quickly coming 2015-2016 season saying: “Overall, our team [was] solid from start to finish as we learned our struggles from the past season.” The goal to be higher in the rankings is still set, along with the thought to finish even stronger after they say goodbye to the valued senior team members like Emily Babcock and Adela Martinez. Throughout this season, the girls overcame many challenges, and this can surely be expected to filter into next year’s team.

PUMAS

SPORT

BEARS

1 3 7 1 1 0 43 51 4 5 203 8 11

G. Volleyball B. Volleyball B. Tennis G. Tennis G. Soccer B. Soccer G. Basketball B. Basketball Softball Baseball Swim and Dive Badminton Football

3 0 2 8 0 3 55 46 12 0 169 1 28

2014-15 TOTAL

by Jordan Williams, Emma Fernandez and Ryan Zolin

12 || sports

photo by Christen Ciofﬁ

Gina Bracamonte - Soccer

ur sports writers have collaborated to select the best players from each sport on campus. While no team sport is won or lost based on any individual, “Perry’s Best” highlights student-athletes who were not only great at their sport, but also on campus and in the classroom.

Soaring across Perry’s soccer field all year long and doing their best is Gina Bracamonte. She was awarded with an Honorable Mention and Coach Jason Dunn explains why, “She was a tough individual that wouldn’t back down from anybody. She played a defensive midfield position very well but also contributed on offense by scoring a few goals and assisting on a couple more. Coaches took notice in her all around play as midfield general and that is why she was selected as an Honorable Mention.” Bracamonte will be returning next year to the team as a senior.

Marcus Howard - Basketball

Having been named to the All-American 2nd team for basketball, Markus Howard is awarded the Perry’s best award. Howard has been an all-around great person on and off the court. He led Arizona basketball with 32.4 points per game in only having played 26 games. While dominating the game he also won Player of the year award and won the AIA Basketball Special Olympics for the CUSD team the school has. Making a difference in the world hasn’t been too much of a challenge for sophomore, Markus Howard.

Jenna Reynolds - Track

Jenna Reynolds is the best thrower in Perry’s Track and field history. She holds the current record for discus with a throw of 108 feet and one inch. She is encouraging and charismatic while throwing and around her team mates. Actively participating in varsity track and competing at the state meet is just another one of her accomplishments as a Perry athlete. Reynolds is a team player on the field and a great representation of what a student-athlete should be in the classroom.

Austin Bull - Baseball

To be called the best at what you do is quite the accomplishment. Senior, Austin Bull has played on the varsity baseball team all four years in high school. Bull was placed onto the All-American 1st team for infield. He is ranked 9th in all of Arizona for baseball and has broken a record at Perry for most bases stolen in a season. Bull also had over a .550 batting average for a consistent four games straight as well as having over 30 hits this year.

austin bull austin nightingale baseball

may || 2015

the precedent || phsprecedent.com

football

Wyatt Veach - Volleyball

Statistics are only half of what makes up an athlete. The other half is infinite dedication and unrelenting hard work. Playing in a total of 49 sets, with a .379% hitting percentage and a 47% kill percentage is what makes Wyatt Veach a necessity to the team. To his team, Veach is not only a remarkable athlete, but also an inspirational leader, making him, Perry’s Best.

cade burks

Olivia Vernon - Basketball

xc/track

photo by Cassie Neal

Cade Burks - Cross Country/Track

Junior distance runner Cade Burks has been competing at a higher level throughout his whole high school career. He has been a varsity student-athlete for the past three years. Running cross country in the fall and distance track events in the spring. He finished second in the 800 meter event at the state track meet. Burks has been a stellar athlete in this event for as long as he has ran them in high school. He was named to the all CUSD team for the 800 meter event his freshman and sophomore years, an unrivaled accomplishment.

Mahea Rubin - Volleyball

Senior Mahea Rubin has played libero on the varsity volleyball since her sophomore year and has played club volleyball for six years. Coach Fred Mann explains how Rubin constantly displayed MVP player qualities this entire season. Rubin will be attending Northern Arizona University this fall.

Austin Nightingale - Football

Sophomore Olivia Vernon has been an exceptional player all season. She is a dedicated team player who lead the Lady Pumas to the first round of playoffs and was awarded the All-East Valley Tribune Honorable Mention and AIA All Section 2 Second Team Member. Her happy-go-lucky, sociable attitude as well as her ability to be a leader has made her a great teammate. Vernon keeps getting better and has more to come in the future.

Tucker Matsen - Wrestling

Winning 30 matches in a season is no easy feat – not in any sport, at any level. Senior Tucker Matsen is a unique type of athlete; a four-year varsity-level wrestler, he is the type who competes as if his next match might be his last. In 2015, the 126-pound Matsen won 30 matches including a pair at sectionals. He placed third at the Buckeye- and second at Apache Junction Tournaments.

tucker matsen wrestling

After overcoming a crippling knee injury during his junior year, senior quarterback Austin Nightingale has proved his skills whether on the football field or in the classroom. Nightingale finished his last year of varsity football with a total of 3738 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes, also receiving the award for 1st Team All-CUSD Quarterback. Nightingale’s signing to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana illustrates the mix of his exceptional skills along with a standout character.

photo by August Bowers

keddi murrish dive

Michelle Bolden, Devlin Clark, Rebecca Hoffman, Mia Irvin, Angilee Niblett, Cassie Nielsen, and Ryan Zolin contributed to this story

For head coach, John Roberts, winning wasn’t too much of a problem. After finishing the season 8-4, Coach Roberts was able to lead the team to the playoffs after barely missing it last year. Roberts brought the team into an opportunity that could be considered one of the best chances for the boys’ soccer team in school history. He led the team to win the first playoff game against Gilbert by a score of 2-1. The team fell short in the next week against Hamilton by a score of 3-0.

Head swim and dive coach Keddi Murrish has been named AZ Dive Coach of the Year and now she is Perry’s Best too. Her abilities to mold students into state level divers have earned her this statewide award two out of the last three years. Murrish had two divers place in the top twenty five in state this past season. One of the two was senior Kelci Abernanthy who placed eighth in the meet. Murrish’s skills have and will serve as an asset to Perry’s dive program.

photo by Jordan Williams

john roberts soccer